Sign of the times…a truly depressing example of what’s going on in America:
Via this Tom Friedman NYT op-ed, this story from Tracy, CA:
Tracy residents will now have to pay every time they call 9-1-1 for a medical emergency.
But there are a couple of options. Residents can pay a $48 voluntary fee for the year which allows them to call 9-1-1 as many times as necessary.
Or, there’s the option of not signing up for the annual fee. Instead, they will be charged $300 if they make a call for help.
bullcitydave 
That is so sad. I have only called 911 once, and it’s because i was pretty sure that one of my neighbors was threatening someone with a gun.
Maybe this is a sadder reflection on my character than the US, but I probably would have let it go if faced with a $300 charge.
But that’s why we live in Durham, where us progressives don’t mind paying taxes for government-provided stuff! I make sure to get my taxpayer’s money’s worth out of our 911 service. 🙂